English / idiom
Cut Someone off at the Knees
MEANING IN ENGLISH
To suddenly undermine, humiliate, or strip someone of their authority and power
In context
01
The manager cut him off at the knees by rejecting his proposal in front of the entire board.
02
Instead of resolving workplace grievances fairly, the executives tried to cut the union leaders off at the knees.
Synonyms
undermine,disempower,sabotage
Antonyms
empower,support,bolster
Collocations
cut off at the knees,completely cut someone off at the knees,attempt to cut off at the knees